    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 27 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
    [Pages 972-973]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following a Meeting With President Hu Jintao of China in Toyako

    July 9, 2008

        President Bush. Mr. President, thank you very much for your time.
    We--you and I have had a lot of meetings together, and I always
    appreciate the candid discussions on a variety of issues.
        The President and I discussed Taiwan; we discussed Sudan; we
    discussed trade. We discussed a variety of issues. I told the President
    I was looking forward to coming to the Olympics. I reminded him that not
    only am I coming, but my wife, my mother, and dad will be there, and
    we're looking forward to your hospitality.
        And of course, in this context, I--the President and I have
    constantly had discussions about human rights and political freedom. He
    knows my position. And as I told our people, Mr. President, I don't need
    the Olympics to talk candidly with somebody who I've got good relations
    with.
        So I'm looking forward to your hospitality, and I'm really looking
    forward to watching the American Olympic team compete, particularly with
    the mighty Chinese team. And I'm hoping to get tickets for the U.S.-
    Chinese basketball game. If you could help me get a ticket, I'd
    appreciate it. [Laughter]
        But thank you very much.
        President Hu. Just now, President Bush and I had a sincere and
    friendly meeting, and we had an in-depth exchange of views on China-U.S.
    relations and issues of mutual interest. We both believe that a new
    progress has been made in China-U.S. relationship in recent years. Our
    two countries not only have

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    close interactions between high-level leaders but also between people at
    various other levels. Not long ago, China and United States successfully
    held the fourth Strategic Economic Dialogue, which produced positive
    results.

        In addition, our two countries have also had fruitful cooperation in
    economic, trade, counterterrorism, energy, environmental protection, and
    other areas. We also have had close communication and coordination on
    such major regional and international issues as the Korean nuclear issue
    and Iranian nuclear issue.

        To further consolidate and grow China-U.S. relationship not only
    serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and our two
    peoples but also will have a major impact on peace, stability, and
    prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world at large. Both
    President Bush and I said that we will continue to keep the larger
    direction of growing this constructive and cooperative relationship
    between us, and we will try to make efforts to ensure that this
    relationship will continue to grow on a sound and steady course.

        I also briefed President Bush about the Chinese position on the
    Taiwan issue and informed President Bush about the current situation in
    the Taiwan Strait. We hope that the U.S. side will continue to follow
    the ``one China'' policy.

        I welcome President Bush to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony
    of the Olympic games. And I highly appreciated that President Bush has
    on various occasions expressed his opposition to politicizing the
    Olympic games.

        Thank you, Mr. President.

        President Bush. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:33 p.m. at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort
    and Spa. President Hu spoke in Chinese, and his remarks were translated
    by an interpreter.